Black Knights Rally to Knock off No. 17 Lehigh

WEST POINT, N.Y. – In a game that featured two of the nation's top defenses, a low-scoring affair was no surprise. Five different Army players found the back of the net and the Black Knights held No. 17 Lehigh to just one second-half tally in a 6-5 come-from-behind victory on Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium.

Lehigh led 3-0 early in the second quarter and held a 4-3 halftime edge. A staunch Black Knights defense, which ranked No. 1 in Monday's NCAA statistical listing, held the Mountain Hawks to a single second-half goal as Army prevailed for its first win over a nationally ranked opponent this season.

With the victory, Army (5-3, 3-1 Patriot League) moves into second-place tie with Colgate in the Patriot League standings. Two-time defending champion Lehigh dropped to 6-3 overall and 3-2 in conference contests.

Freshman attackman Henry White picked the perfect time to score his first collegiate goal, netting the EMO game-winner with 7:54 remaining in the fourth. Senior third-line middie David Tarsa notched the equalizer four minutes prior, which marked his first of the season and helped set up Army's comeback bid. Sophomore attackman Connor Cook tied a career-high with four points on the day. The California, Md., native tallied one goal and matched a career-best three assists. Junior attackman John Glesener scored twice, while sophomore attackman Will Mazzone added a goal and two assists.

"This was a terrific team effort," said Army head coach Joe Alberici following the win. "Henry White and Dave Tarsa came up huge for us today. We're always talking about the Army Lacrosse Family and how everyone plays a huge role. Their effort today is a perfect example of that.

"Lehigh is tremendously well coached and a great defensive team," Alberici added. "We knew this was going to be a defensive battle, so every goal was magnified. I was disappointed giving up four in the first half, but to lock them down in the second half was an outstanding defensive effort from our guys."

Sophomore Alex Daly won 12 of 15 face-offs and all four during the Black Knights' decisive fourth quarter. He scooped a game-high nine ground balls, while junior long stick middie Jimbo D'Aprile added four on the day. Senior close defenseman John Burk totaled three ground balls and a game-high two caused turnovers.

Army junior goalkeeper Sam Somers, who entered the game leading the nation in goals-against average, totaled seven saves and three ground balls.

Preseason Patriot League Goalie of the Year Matt Poillon of Lehigh registered nine saves and suffered his third loss of the year. Junior attackman Dan Taylor led all players with three goals.

Lehigh scored the first three goals of the game, stretching the first and second quarters. Facing a 3-0 deficit, the Black Knights got going when Mazzone fed Cook on the doorstep to get Army on the board at 8:56 of the second. Back-to-back Glesener goals, scored over the next three-plus minutes and on assists from Cook and Mazzone, leveled the score at 3-3 with 5:42 on the clock. Glesener's first strike came from the left side and his second marked the Black Knights' first of two extra-man goals of the contest. The Mountain Hawks won the ensuing faceoff and turned it into the go-ahead goal just 12 seconds later as the visitors took a 4-3 lead into halftime.

Lehigh netted the lone goal in the third quarter, an Alex Eaton rip with a flag down at 7:25. Eaton's goal pushed the Mountain Hawks' lead to 5-3 midway through the third, but it proved to be their final goal of the afternoon.